A retired boarding school teacher who allegedly told a young boy “he was not washing properly” before indecently touching him in the shower was investigated by police almost 30 years ago.

No charges were brought against Brian Truan, 80, during the investigation in 1988, but the former teacher is now standing trial accused of sexually abusing a number of male pupils in the communal showers at Elmbridge School in Ongar.

The defendant, of Church Road, Peldon, worked at the school until it closed down in 1994, serving as house master.

At Chelmsford Crown Court, prosecuting lawyer, Tim Brown, called in the first witness for cross-examination on Tuesday afternoon (October 17).

Mr Truan’s alleged victim, now 43, appeared by video link.

The offences allegedly happened at what was Elmbridge School

He explained: “My parents had separated so me and my brother were passed between our parents. I would say I was somewhat happy but I was quite withdrawn.”

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In 2014, concerns were raised about events that occurred at the school. The police launched an enquiry and a number of complainants came forward.

The alleged victim claims the abuse happened three times a week in Truan's private bathroom.

He continued: “I became quite withdrawn, I would run away from school quite often to get away from him, to get away from what he was doing.

“I would not wash that often, I don’t know whether that was because of low self-esteem or to keep him away from me.

“One occasion he masturbated me in his private quarters. He called me into his room and he told me to get undressed. I laid on the bed and he started touching me, I became erect and then he stopped and I ran out.

“He asked if I liked it and I swore at him and left. That was when I decided I would tell someone.

“I waited until the Easter break, I was due to go back to school on the Monday and I hid and cowered in the closet. My mum and her boyfriend scoured the house looking for me.